Penticton Indian Band
& National Office of Learning
Technologies
Footprints to Technology - Employ-Ability Project
Purpose of Presentation
• Provide a brief background of the program
• Explain how the partnership developed
• Describe the Footprints to Technology program
• Outline what the program achieved
How we started working together
CAP – Community Access Program
• Penticton Indian Band and Neil Squire Society started working together in
identifying basic assistive technology
Footprints to Technology
• Neil Squire provided Penticton Indian Band 10 home computers,
curriculum, and resources to assist the training of Aboriginals with basic
computer technology
OLT/NOLL – National Office of Literacy & Learning
• Partnering in a three year pilot project to help increase the employability of
people with disabilities in the Okanagan area
• Introduction to technology for Elders and Seniors (SOS)
Footprints to Technology Program
• Beautiful & home like log
building
• Opened in January 2006
• Program open to residents
of the Okanagan valley
• Referrals accepted from
individual or agencies
Florence MacArthur, Project
Manager, PIB
The Neil Squire Employ-Ability
Program
• A three year pilot project
Objectives:
• To reach 90 people with
disabilities
• To increase their
employability
• To identify and eliminate
barriers
Staff
Mindy
Terry
Amadeus
Chad
Advisory Committee to Project
Volunteers assist the project
with community input and
expertise at monthly
meetings
Volunteers; Michelle, James and Anne with staff (missing
from photo; Florence Gladys, Sam, Michel)
Neil Squire Employ-Ability Program
We use technology, knowledge, and
passion to empower people with physical
disabilities.
EmployAbility - Modules
Modules of EmployAbility include:
• Assistive Technology & Ergonomics,
by distance consultation/on site
• Personal Health & Wellness, on site
• Career Development, on site
• Computer Technology by Distance
Learning
Adaptive Technology
Kensington®
Expert Mouse
Optical Trackball
SafeType
Keyboard
Kinesis Contoured
Keyboard
Cirque® Easy Cat
Touchpad
Roller Bar Mouse
Perfit
Mouse
Personal Health and Wellness
• Intro to Personal Wellness
• Living with a Disability
• Fatigue and Energy
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Management
Pain Management
Nutrition
Physical Fitness & Leisure
The Gift of Self-Esteem
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Communication Skills
Assertiveness
Healthy Sleep
Time Management
Stress Management
Anger Management
Problem Solving
Conflict Resolution
The Gift of Self of Esteem series has
contributed to this module reflecting
Aboriginal cultural values.
Career Development
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Intro to Career Development
Decision Making
Goal Setting
Telephone Skills
Transferable Skills
Type Focus
Labour Market
Informational Interviewing
• National Occupation
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Educational Research
Self Employment
Cover Letters
Resume
Electronic Resumes
Job Search
Interviews
Job Shadow
Action Plan
Classification
Every participant will complete the
program with a cover letter, resume,
and action plan.
Computer Technology
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Computer Basics
Windows
File Management
Hardware
Email
Internet
Digital Media
Word
Utilizing computer technology, many aspects
Excel
of Employ-Ability will be available online
PowerPoint
Online Marketplace
Online Computer Training
Growing # of Partners
Penticton
Saskatoon
Sechelt
From student’s
home
Burnaby
Nelson
Miramichi Vernon
Aboriginal Day / Open House,
June 21,2006
Elders Computer Introduction Class
Footprints to Better Living
Conference, October 2006
• Over 40 people with disabilities, Seniors/Elders attended a
conference focusing on how Technology can improve your life
• Presentations by CNIB, Neil Squire Society, THEO BC, Chronic Pain
Self Management and on Preserving Culture by Andrew McGinnis
International Day for People with
Disabilities, 2006
Seniors on Seniors - SOS
• National partnership with Neil
Squire Society and Health
Canada to promote the use of
health technologies amongst
Elders and Seniors
• Peer mentoring program to
learn; cell phones, blood
pressure/ heart monitors,
emergency response
systems, answering
machines/caller ID
The Stats
Project Targets &Learners
Project target for three years is 90 learners
Total number of learners
served to date
Aboriginal on reserve
69
Aboriginal off-reserve
10
Immigrants
1
Métis
7
Disadvantaged workers
9
Unemployed persons
106
Persons with disabilities
90
Seniors
82
Women
119
Other, specify (not Aboriginal off reserve)
37
Total learners
163
Some learners are counted in more than one
category November, 2008
All Class Reunion August 3/07
New for 2008..Support program
• Training for people who have disabilities
• To become a support person for others who have disabilities
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Learn how:
– To support others
– To be a better communicator
– Gain self esteem
– To find services and benefits for yourself and others
– Learn about your personal gifts
– Gain new skills and add to your resume!
19 days over 3 months training completed Dec. 08
Mileage and childcare paid for while in the training
Our Graduates Thank You
Our Graduates Thank You
Our Graduates Thank You
Thank you for your time and interest in our work
Together developing partnerships
we can make a difference
by empowering people with disabilities